Approximately 500 individuals attended Grundy Electric Cooperative’s 71st annual membership meeting on Thursday night at the Ketcham Community Center on the Campus of North Central Missouri College.
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Prior to the business meeting, members enjoyed the evening meal served by the Grundy County 4-H Council with background dinner music provided by “Young Country, LLC” from Laredo. Members also browsed the information booths and visited with employees of Grundy Electric Cooperative, Mid-States Services, LLC and Mid-West Propane & Refined Fuels, LLC. The Take Control & Save booth provided information regarding Grundy’s energy audit programs and rebates. Insulation and lighting displays were also exhibited. The GEC Community Foundation, Inc. booth included information on grants and Operation Round Up.
Trenton Boy Scout Troop 99 presented the colors and led the pledge to the American Flag. Pastor Eric Hoover of the Honey Creek Chapel Christian Church gave the invocation. Peggy Boulware, corporate development manager of the Cooperative introduced special guests and the GEC Board of Directors and their spouses.
Grundy Electric Cooperative Board President Dan Lentz presided over the business meeting. Members elected two directors to serve a three-year term. Incumbent Eric Woodard of Trenton, representing Area #1 (Grundy, Daviess, Livingston and Linn counties) and incumbent Joe Hartley of Mercer, representing Area #4 (Mercer County) were re-elected. Members approved the proposed by-law amendment recommended by the Board of Directors. The bylaw amendment allows absentee voting for director elections, but will not allow absentee voting on any other issue.
Lentz welcomed and thanked members for the attendance and participation in their cooperative’s annual business meeting. President Lentz reminded everyone of the importance of farm and electrical safety. He noted that Associated Electric has forecasted rate increases and even though rate increases are inevitable he assured members that Grundy is working hard to keep its controllable costs down while maintaining reliable electric service. Lentz reported that delivering dependable electric service to its membership remains the cornerstone of Grundy Electric.
General Manager Scott Wilson updated members regarding the “Our Energy Our Future” campaign concerning federal carbon tax legislation. He commended Sen. Brad Lager for introducing a bill to reinstate the reseller state sales tax exemption and Rep. Casey Guernsey for supporting the Cooperative stance.
GEC Community Foundation, Inc. President Cliff Addison reported that the Foundation has awarded 180 grants for a total of $136,901.92 since its inception in 2005. He discussed the importance of Operation Round-Up and thanked members who currently participate. Addison and trustee Glenda Homedale presented the fourth quarter grants to successful recipients.
Grundy Electric Cooperative directors held a re-organizational meeting in which the following officers were elected: Lentz, president; Hartley, vice president; Lewis Jones, secretary; Richard Moore, treasurer; and Marvin Harding, assistant secretary. Other board members include: Tom Ewing, Jack Clark and Woodard.